Looking to relocate to Lowell - need advice on specific neighborhoods (Boston: low income, apartment complex)

[Space_League]

I am looking to relocate from Boston to Lowell with my girlfriend. We are mid 20s. She works in watertown and I will be working in Salem, NH so this is about half way. We want a quiet building that would be full of families and old people

Right now I live in a 2 bedroom apartment in Roslindale. It's a fantastic neighborhood and the rent is only $100-200 more than the two beds we're seeing in Lowell. She lives up the street in Mattapan which isn't a great area and we're looking for someplace more like Rozzie.

the top contender is on park street in the belvediere neighborhood. I've heard good things about the neighborhood. When I went there in person the spot seems right on the border between a high income and low income neighborhoods.

the other place we're looking is on princeton street near the market basket. hard to get a read on this neighborhood just passing through in the day time.

Please let me know anyone who has personal experience in these areas and recommend anywhere that comes to mind.

[Shrewsburried]

You're on the right track. The Belvedere neighborhood is extremely safe/low crime while providing relatively easy access to the downtown area.

Secondary areas: immediate downtown area (east of Dutton St.), 'the highlands' (preferably the western streets near the Chelmsford line), north-west side (neighborhoods abutting the state forest/Tyingsborough line).

Areas to avoid, if possible: 'the acre' (west, north-west of downtown), the section west of 110 and southeast of 'the highlands'.

Source: lived there for 7 years and inhabited multiple neighborhoods. Belvedere was provided the best balance, though the nicer lofts downtown provide quality living and better walkability - particularly in the colder months.

[Space_League]

Originally Posted by Shrewsburried

You're on the right track. The Belvedere neighborhood is extremely safe/low crime while providing relatively easy access to the downtown area.

Secondary areas: immediate downtown area (east of Dutton St.), 'the highlands' (preferably the western streets near the Chelmsford line), north-west side (neighborhoods abutting the state forest/Tyingsborough line).

Areas to avoid, if possible: 'the acre' (west, north-west of downtown), the section west of 110 and southeast of 'the highlands'.

Source: lived there for 7 years and inhabited multiple neighborhoods. Belvedere was provided the best balance, though the nicer lofts downtown provide quality living and better walkability - particularly in the colder months.

Thanks, Shrewsburried.

you are saying to avoid the area around Stevens street ? It's funny because driving through that area looked nicer than parts of Belvedere. The area around high street looked a bit run down to me. Once I crossed Nesmith St to the east of there it looks really nice single family homes

I think the place on park st should be a good mix of affordability and a quiet neighborhood. Noisy, rude neighbors and lack of amenities are the main concern. I doubt the crime in lowell would be worse than in boston

[gf2020]

Lowell to Watertown sounds like an absolutely miserable commute.

[Space_League]

Originally Posted by gf2020

Lowell to Watertown sounds like an absolutely miserable commute.

Fair point, but she is working later shift and would avoid rush hour.

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by Space_League

Thanks, Shrewsburried.

you are saying to avoid the area around Stevens street ? It's funny because driving through that area looked nicer than parts of Belvedere. The area around high street looked a bit run down to me. Once I crossed Nesmith St to the east of there it looks really nice single family homes

I think the place on park st should be a good mix of affordability and a quiet neighborhood. Noisy, rude neighbors and lack of amenities are the main concern. I doubt the crime in lowell would be worse than in boston

Like any city, there's some variation neighborhood to neighborhood. Stevens St. is essentially the fringe of the Highlands neighborhood, so depending on where you are along it, it ranges from tolerable to good.

As for your comments on Belvedere, your assessment is more or less correct. Few 'locals' would really consider rt.38/Nesmith to be inclusive to the Belvedere neighborhood, regardless of what listing agents might claim. Belvedere borders are, roughly, directly west of Nesmith/38 and north of Crawley stadium / MarketBasket plaza.

The apartment complex on Park is in good spot, but be mindful of how busy that 38/133 intersection can get (i.e., loud). I'd personally try to avoid rentals units right on 133 due to road noise.